Childhood trauma, depressive symptoms and rational /irrational beliefs: A moderated mediation model

Abstract

The current study focuses on the vulnerability role of irrational beliefs and the protective role of rational beliefs in the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms in a sample of Turkish undergraduate students (N = 338). The findings provide additional evidence to diathesis-stress model of rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT). The findings indicate that irrational beliefs play moderating roles in the relationships between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms. Irrational beliefs, especially the secondary irrational thinking process, also mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms. The indirect effect of childhood trauma on depressive symptoms via irrational beliefs may change depending upon the level of rational beliefs. The theoretical contributions and clinical implications of this study are discussed in detail.